Great works of Science Fiction (novels only)

Dynamite220 · 01-05-2005, 10:20 PM

I have been a reader of sci-fi for many years, and, despite popular oppinion, there have been many books in the genra that I think would revolutionalize American literature if they were taken seriously.

Frank Herbert's Dune was a wonderful read. As the sequals go on, they get vauge and hard to follow but the original is a masterpiece worthy of any collection be it sci-fi or not. With a superb cast of characters, a plot that continues to thicken and become more involved as the book goes on, culminating in the final chapters, and a history of a galexy torn by greed and war over the one most important thing in all existance that makes star travel possible and creates mighty oricles, it never ceases to entertain. A clasic work of sci-fi.

Robert A. Heinlein's Methusala's Children gives us a look at the human syche that we have never seen before, though there are some cheap imitations which come after. In this book, members of the Ira Howard foundation, who all live exceptionaly long lives, are found out and persecuted for their "genetic defect." Their solution to the problem is very dramatic.

Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is a book that i'm sure we've all read, or at least heard of. It is a superior work of literature taught in schools across america. When you're playing a game, the people who die don't matter, but what if you find out that it wasn't a game? If you don't know the stakes you can do whatever it takes. This one's a fast read that will entertain further thought after you finish.

These are just basic examples. Can anyone think of any others?

Warlock · 01-05-2005, 11:33 PM

Dune is definately a good choice. However, how can you have posted a thread about Sci-fi and not mentioned one of the GODS of scifi, Isaac Asimov? The Robot books, the Foundation series, the Bicentenial Man, the Empire books. What writer, when dealing with robots, hasn't been influenced in some way with the 3 Laws of Robotics? And the Foundation books are just pure joy to read.

Psrdirector · 01-06-2005, 04:30 PM

Brave new world, you need to read that it is a amazing book
1984, that is a really good book, but it is political

and the dune books are good, so is the prequal written by his son i believe, the Butlirian Jyhad. it is also very good

Depresinist sci-fi is some great reads, or future but dismal and bleak, that stuff. Sci-fi isnt all crazy alians and happyness. good stuff

PhasmaRok · 01-06-2005, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynamite220

Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is a book that i'm sure we've all read, or at least heard of. It is a superior work of literature taught in schools across america. When you're playing a game, the people who die don't matter, but what if you find out that it wasn't a game? If you don't know the stakes you can do whatever it takes. This one's a fast read that will entertain further thought after you finish.

I was first introduced to the "Enderverse" through one of Card's more recent novels: Ender's Shadow. Described by Card as a "parallel companion novel (following the events of Ender's Game from the viewpoint of the diminutive Bean), it gives a more complete feel to the world of Ender's game and to the story covered in the first book. I was addicted almost instantly. I found "Ender's Game" as soon as I could and loved that, too. I've also managed to read the trilogy of sequels to Ender's Game (Speaker for the Dead, Xenocide, and Children of the Mind) and the two sequels to Ender's Shadow (Shadow of the Hegemon and Shadow Puppets, which are set immediately after the end of the Bugger War). The books directly concerning Ender are more sci-fi-ish than the Hegemon and Puppets, but they're all good.

I also think the "Odyssey" series by Arthur C. Clarke deserves a spot in this thread. 2001 (the book, not the movie with a useless 20 minutes of psychedelic colors) is a brilliant portrayal of space-flight and technology in general. And the plot is fantastic. 2010 is, in my opinion, the best of the series. 3001 is third best, and 2061 is at the bottom (for me, anyway).
I want a HAL 9000 of my own, as long as it (he?) isn't in charge of anything vital. Hmmm... maybe Jane (from Speaker for the Dead) would be a safer bet....

Ray Bradbury's written some great science-fiction too. The Martian Chronicles are, if scientifically inaccurate, a very good read. The Illustrated man is good too, though that can be more of a fantasy type story than sci-fi.

My Lead Airbag · 01-06-2005, 09:43 PM

Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. If you say that its not science fiction, I present you with the following evidence (1) Talking superintelligent robots (2) Aliens (3) Spaceships and space travel (4) Futuristic technology, plus deep inspection into how it works to boot (5) Time travel and extra dimensions.

I think I read one of the Ender's books, but it was a while while ago. Is that the one with a group of genetically engineered kids (One had like coach from the Pacers genes, and I think the main character had like a perfect clock in his head) and some sort of game where you couldn't touch the people?

Dynamite220 · 01-06-2005, 11:36 PM

I have to agree with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galexy. One of the best comedies of our time and good sci-fi to boot. I should have mentioned Isacc Asimov and Arthur C. Clark in my first post; I don't know why I didn't. Those are my three favorite novels of all time in my first post in the order that they apear in the post, though, and I didn't want to make it too long.

Isacc Asimov does deserve a special word as being the sci-fi writer. Though some writers may have better individual novels, nobody had more masterpieces than Asimov. I Robot is a recomended read (no relation to the movie). It is filled with some of the best robot stories I have ever read.

Kitty Cannonade · 01-07-2005, 05:47 AM

While he's not as popular as other authors, I enjoy Jeff Noon's books. Does anyone else here read them?

Dynamite220 · 01-07-2005, 12:43 PM

Maybe. Can you tell me some titles?

Cloud Strife · 01-07-2005, 12:45 PM

The Ender series was quite good, in my opinion. I enjoyed the storyline, though it was interesting for me, because the first book of the series I read was Ender's Shadow, the parallel to Ender's Game.

The HHGttG series is the best Sci-Fi comedy I've ever read. Definitely worth mentioning.

Kitty Cannonade · 01-08-2005, 11:02 PM

Cloud Strife:

He's written Vurt (my fave), Automated Alice, Pixel Juice and a couple others that I don't have.

01-05-2005, 10:20 PM	#1
Dynamite220 Covert op? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Unionville, in the state of Union, in the Unionized States of America Posts: 676	Great works of Science Fiction (novels only) I have been a reader of sci-fi for many years, and, despite popular oppinion, there have been many books in the genra that I think would revolutionalize American literature if they were taken seriously. Frank Herbert's Dune was a wonderful read. As the sequals go on, they get vauge and hard to follow but the original is a masterpiece worthy of any collection be it sci-fi or not. With a superb cast of characters, a plot that continues to thicken and become more involved as the book goes on, culminating in the final chapters, and a history of a galexy torn by greed and war over the one most important thing in all existance that makes star travel possible and creates mighty oricles, it never ceases to entertain. A clasic work of sci-fi. Robert A. Heinlein's Methusala's Children gives us a look at the human syche that we have never seen before, though there are some cheap imitations which come after. In this book, members of the Ira Howard foundation, who all live exceptionaly long lives, are found out and persecuted for their "genetic defect." Their solution to the problem is very dramatic. Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is a book that i'm sure we've all read, or at least heard of. It is a superior work of literature taught in schools across america. When you're playing a game, the people who die don't matter, but what if you find out that it wasn't a game? If you don't know the stakes you can do whatever it takes. This one's a fast read that will entertain further thought after you finish. These are just basic examples. Can anyone think of any others? __________________ I've been left all alone in the gas station of love, and I have to use the self-service pumps! -Weird Al Yankovich

01-06-2005, 09:43 PM	#5
My Lead Airbag Magikoopa Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,632	Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. If you say that its not science fiction, I present you with the following evidence (1) Talking superintelligent robots (2) Aliens (3) Spaceships and space travel (4) Futuristic technology, plus deep inspection into how it works to boot (5) Time travel and extra dimensions. I think I read one of the Ender's books, but it was a while while ago. Is that the one with a group of genetically engineered kids (One had like coach from the Pacers genes, and I think the main character had like a perfect clock in his head) and some sort of game where you couldn't touch the people? __________________ Former Forum Names: BMHadoken, BiteTheWaxTadPole...krylo made me do it, really. RP Fight Lord RP Story Sage Retired.

01-06-2005, 11:36 PM	#6
Dynamite220 Covert op? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Unionville, in the state of Union, in the Unionized States of America Posts: 676	I have to agree with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galexy. One of the best comedies of our time and good sci-fi to boot. I should have mentioned Isacc Asimov and Arthur C. Clark in my first post; I don't know why I didn't. Those are my three favorite novels of all time in my first post in the order that they apear in the post, though, and I didn't want to make it too long. Isacc Asimov does deserve a special word as being the sci-fi writer. Though some writers may have better individual novels, nobody had more masterpieces than Asimov. I Robot is a recomended read (no relation to the movie). It is filled with some of the best robot stories I have ever read. __________________ I've been left all alone in the gas station of love, and I have to use the self-service pumps! -Weird Al Yankovich

01-07-2005, 12:43 PM	#8
Dynamite220 Covert op? Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Unionville, in the state of Union, in the Unionized States of America Posts: 676	Maybe. Can you tell me some titles? __________________ I've been left all alone in the gas station of love, and I have to use the self-service pumps! -Weird Al Yankovich

01-07-2005, 12:45 PM	#9
Cloud Strife Stranger in a strange land. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Walla Walla, WA. Posts: 2,846	The Ender series was quite good, in my opinion. I enjoyed the storyline, though it was interesting for me, because the first book of the series I read was Ender's Shadow, the parallel to Ender's Game. The HHGttG series is the best Sci-Fi comedy I've ever read. Definitely worth mentioning. __________________ You know, I'd put up something witty and clever right now, but eh. I'm lazy.

01-06-2005, 04:30 PM	#3
Psrdirector Sent to the cornfield Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: In the worst State in the damn world Indiana Posts: 1,261	Brave new world, you need to read that it is a amazing book 1984, that is a really good book, but it is political and the dune books are good, so is the prequal written by his son i believe, the Butlirian Jyhad. it is also very good Depresinist sci-fi is some great reads, or future but dismal and bleak, that stuff. Sci-fi isnt all crazy alians and happyness. good stuff

01-07-2005, 05:47 AM	#7
Kitty Cannonade No Life Chibi Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 164	While he's not as popular as other authors, I enjoy Jeff Noon's books. Does anyone else here read them?

01-08-2005, 11:02 PM	#10
Kitty Cannonade No Life Chibi Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 164	Cloud Strife: He's written Vurt (my fave), Automated Alice, Pixel Juice and a couple others that I don't have.